TEACH Grant Program (Starting 2008-09)

The TEACH Grant program provides up to $4,000 a year in grant aid to undergraduate and graduate students and students enrolled in a post-baccalaureate teacher credential program, or current or prospective teachers. Eligible undergraduate and post-baccalaureate students may not receive more than $16,000 and graduate students may receive no more than $8,000 in total TEACH Grants.

Students enrolled less than full-time will have their TEACH Grant reduced according to a schedule established by the Department in regulations. The amount of TEACH Grant awarded when combined with other student aid may not exceed a student's cost of attendance (COA).

In exchange for TEACH Grant aid, students must agree to serve as a full-time teacher at specified schools and teach in a specified field for four academic years within eight years after completing the college course. TEACH Grant recipients that do not fulfill their teaching obligations must repay the grant as if it was an unsubsidized Direct Loan

Student Eligibility Requirements

  • Undergraduate students must have a 3.25 GPA (high school GPA for first year undergrads) OR score in the 75th percentile on at least one admissions test.
  • GPA requirements do not apply graduate students who are currently teachers or who are retiring and have expertise in a subject where there is shortage of teachers (math, science, special ed, English as a second language, or another high-need subject).
  • Graduate students completing a high-quality alternative teacher certification program, like Teach for America, are also eligible for the program.
  • Students must be completing (or planning to complete) the coursework required to become a teacher.
  • TEACH Grant recipients that do not fulfill their teaching obligations must repay the grant as if it was an unsubsidized Direct Loan

To receive a TEACH Grant students must also agree to:

  • Serve as a full-time teacher for at least four years within eight years of completing their course of study
  • Comply with the requirements for being a highly qualified teacher (defined in section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act)
  • Teach math, science, a foreign language, bilingual education, special ed, a reading specialist, or a subject designated as "high need" by the federal or state government, or local education agency and approved by the Department
  • Provide certification by the school's chief administrator annually as evidence of required employment
  • TEACH Grant recipients that do not fulfill their teaching obligations must repay the grant as if it was an unsubsidized Direct Loan

TEACH Grant recipients that do not fulfill their teaching obligations must repay the grant as if it was an unsubsidized Direct Loan